Urban and rural development can no longer be viewed as distinct. Rural and urban economies need to be understood as a united whole and addressed in ways that are more integrated. This research area focuses on the links between urban and rural and how that impacts on planning and governance of urban spaces.
Movements between sectors of urban and rural areas
Sectoral movements demonstrate how agriculture, industry and services influence one another. For example, most food production occurs in rural areas while processing and retailing occur in urban areas. They are also referred to as sectoral flows.
Spatial movement between rural and urban areas
These linkages indicate the movement of people, goods, money, information and waste between rural and urban areas. For example, plant-based urban food waste could be used as compost in agricultural areas. These linkages are also referred to as spatial flows.